Taping is used for sports injuries and offers numerous benefits. Taping assists in the retention of wound dressings. It stabilizes compression to prevent internal and external hemorrhaging. And it supports recent injuries to prevent additional damage that may result from further athletic activity. Modern adhesive linen tape is best to use for taping sports injuries due to its adhesion qualities. When taping injuries, it's best to have the assistance of a qualified professional but in the event that you can't get to one in time, follow a few simple procedures to tape injuries properly.
Taping The Arch Of The Foot
Step 1
Clean the foot of all dirt and oil. Shave the top portion of the foot if it is excessively hairy. Spry the area to be taped with adhesive spray.
Step 2
Use one roll of 1 ½ inch tape and 1/8 to ¼ inch of adhesive foam rubber pad cut to fit the arch.
Step 3
Lie the athlete face down on the table with the foot that is being taped extended approximately 6 inches over the edge of the table. Make sure that the foot hangs in a relaxed position.
Step 4
Place the first strip of tape across the upper portion of the foot about 1 inch below the bottom of the toes. This is strip one.
Step 5
Follow and wrap with three additional strips, making a total of four. Wrap each successive strip around the other. Place the tape at the halfway point of each preceding piece.
The Ankle
Step 1
Clean the foot and ankle with soap and water or with alcohol. Shave all the hair off the foot and ankle. Apply one coat of adhesive spray to protect the skin and to ensure proper adhesion. Apply a gauze pad to the ankle coated with friction-reducing material such as Vaseline.
Step 2
Tape the ankle injury using one foll of 1 ½ inch tape. Position the athlete on a table with the affected leg extended and the foot held at a 90 degree angle.
Step 3
Place an anchor of tape around the ankle at five to six inches above the top of the foot.
Step 4
Apply two strips of tape around the heel, extending up to the anchor piece of tape. Ensure that the second piece of heel tape is positioned at the halfway point of the first piece.
Step 5
Wrap seven or eight circular circular strips around the ankle from the anchor piece of tape downward Continue to wrap the circular pieces of tape until the top portion of the foot is covered. Apply two to three pieces of tape around the arch. Wrap the tape from the outside portion of the foot to the inside portion to provide additional support.
Tips and Warnings
- When taping an injury, get the assistance of a qualified athletic trainer or personal trainer. If in doubt of taping procedures, splint the injury with a piece of wood or cardbord and go to the nearest emergency medical facility.
- When wrapping the foot, avoid wrapping the tape so tightly as to hamper the action of the ankle. Check for capillary refill after taping by squeezing the external portion of the wrapped limb. If wrapped loosely, the area should be pink instead of white or blue. If an athlete has a history of tape blisters avoid application of tape adherent when taping an ankle.
Things You'll Need
- 2 rolls of 1 1/2 inch athletic tape
- 1/8 inch adhesive foam
- adhesive spray
- isopropyl alcohol
References
- "Arnheim's Principles of Athletic Training 12th edition"; William Prentice; 2008
- PhysioRoom: Guide to Strapping and Taping
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